Review Date - 12/17/2013
The Expobar Brutus IV-R, wow, what a beautiful machine. My Brutus displaced an Expobar Pulsar. I didn’t think the difference would be so great given the similar design. The Brutus is exponentially better in all the right places. Let’s take them one at a time.
Style
The Brutus has acres of chrome. This machine shines from top to bottom. The only black plastic is on the lever and the knobs f ... read more

Review Date - 07/21/2012
OK, let me start by saying that this is all my brother's fault. He owns a string of coffee stores, and when I bought a super automatic machine to make great coffee at home, he told me I would be disappointed, and he was right. He told me to stop wasting money on bells and whistles and buy an espresso machine for the boiler and to be sure to buy an Italian boiler. Period. Just that. He said th ... read more

Review Date - 07/28/2014
I've used a Giaggia with a bras boiler for over 25 years with no issues except that the warm up time between espresso & cappuccino was not great. Only parts I replaced ever were the gasket once and the steam knob. Still works fine and makes good espresso & cappuccino so I gave it to my friend as his first espresso maker. As much as I enjoyed the Gaggia, there is no comparison between the semi- ... read more

Review Date - 07/05/2013
I have had this machine for a year now and I have waited to give a review because I wanted a good length of time before providing my thoughts.
It is simple to use. But, the instructions are AWFUL for someone who has never had an espresso machine. Someone would never be able to figure out how to clean it unless they already knew or watched a video.
Mine also broke. The reservoir is not ... read more